‘Direk’ Maryo defends Mark Anthony

CONTRARY to media reports, “Munting Heredera” lead actor Mark Anthony Fernandez was never disruptive on the set of his latest TV show, according to the drama series’ director, Maryo J. delos Reyes.

“He has his quirks, but I understand him,” Delos Reyes told Inquirer Entertainment during a recent press conference for the latest GMA 7 prime-time show. “He’s a character himself. I know what’s going on in his mind so that when other people find him crazy, I find him okay.”

When reporters noticed Mark’s absence during the show’s launch, Delos Reyes again came to the actor’s defense.

“I know he just came from taping for ‘I Heart You, Pare,’” the director said. “Hindi naman sa tinatamad siya, kundi napapagod siya. Other people just cannot understand Mark. I watched him grow up. I worked with him during his Gwapings days and the time we made ‘Laklak.’”

Delos Reyes, who also worked with Mark in the Kapuso drama series, “Little Star,” said it was true the actor occasionally failed to show up on the set. Network bosses actually considered removing Mark from the program.

“I asked them not to,” Delos Reyes said. “I was confident I could make him listen.” The show ended its run in February. Now, three months later, Delos Reyes swore Mark was “more secure. He has a steady job and a family he goes home to every night.”

<strong>Heartaches</strong>

Mark is married to Melissa Garcia, with whom he has two kids.

Delos Reyes related Mark’s “quirkiness” to the actor’s experiences while growing up. “He suffered because of his parents’ separation. He got hooked on drugs and went through all these heartaches. He also went through depression because of his father’s death and his mother getting remarried several times.”

Mark’s dad, Rudy Fernandez, died of cancer in 2008. Less than a year later, his mom, actress Alma Moreno, married Marawi City Mayor Sultan Fahad Salic.

<strong>Hidden side</strong>

“Our relationship is on a different level,” Delos Reyes said of Mark. “We talk about literature. He’s fond of books. He’s interested in oracles and loves philosophy. This side of Mark, most people don’t know about.”

In “Munting Heredera,” Mark plays Jacob, only grandson to Dona Anastacia (Gloria Romero), a rich widowed businesswoman in search for the rightful heiress. The show also features Camille Prats, Katrina Halili and Roderick Paulate, among others.

(“Munting Heredera” airs weeknights right after “Captain Barbell” on GMA 7.)